Piano-playing mechanism.



B. R. VAN VALKENBURG. A

PIANO PLAYING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED 911.24, 1912.

Patented Oct. 28, 1913.

F 'QZ.

I WITNESSES:

.BURTZ'T. WIN WLKENBURG.

INVENTOR B. R. VAN VALKENBUm. PIANO PLAYING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24, 1912.

Patented Oct. 28, 1913.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

wmv 8858: INVENTOR Q Q BURIZ? VAN Ulla/V5056 7 Q/ ATTORNEY B. R. VAN VALKENBURG. PIANO PLAYING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED 11.24, 1912.

1 ,O7'7,206. Patented Oct; 28; 1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

IN l/EN TOR yw x 5mm" 2?. VANTZILKNB0RG B.,R. VAN YALKENBURG: PIANO PLAYING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR.24, 1912'. i

' PatentedOct. 28, 1913.

5 SHEETSSHEET 4 as h :6 7 ATT/iiy B. R. VAN VALKENBURG.

' PIANO PLAYING MECHANISM.

urmonmn FILED APB.24, 1912.

- Patented Oct. 28, 1913.

INVENTOR, BURT R 164A! VALHL'NBURG 444/7 ATTORNEY IT/mass.-

. ea-sens.

To all "whom, it may concern j was; e {if i ing at Oakia 4 ,and State of (-la'liforni'ai,' have invented cer- PATENT OFFICE.

. seem. VAN vsmsssem, 6i OAKLAND, csmesmi.

mincr aime accesses.

t i, s em a.- m VALREN- Unitetl Statos residnd,{in= county of Alameda EQi-il new'anel uscfifl Imprevemems in Prime.

er which the following a This invention -r eietes to player pianos fthe type. wheres siren of perforated aper is used to control we prod-fiction of musical notes.

The principal obje t of the invention i -w provide a slayer piano of improved construction having a double set of roll actumechanisms so that one roll my be" used? curing the rewind-mg and changing" of a second rollthus" making the piano a substantially continuous player.

second object. of 't'heinvention is to provide ani-m proved piano of theclass d'e' scribed wherein but a single set of pneumatics or hammer mechanism Willbe neces-. sary, the neumatics being con-trolled at will from either of the rolls.

A third object of the invention is toprovide an improved connection controlling certain pneumatics which are used for braking purposes.

x A fourth object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement for controlnovel constructions,

ling' a certain shifting valve used in con- I ance with this invention, the front of the casing being omitted the better to show the interior. Fig 2- is atransverse section througli said piano; Fig. 3.is a View of a certhinportion- (if-the mechanism from the Fig 4 is a p'lttn of a "certain portion of the mechanism. Fig. 5 is a plan of a' valve box' 11sec herewith, the eovefplate arrangement. Fig. -6 is asectionyon the line',6-6, Fig. Fig;- the line 77, Fi'g.- 6.- Fig. vati'on of the double bellows herewith; a portion'ofthe fie'jxibl'e membrane being sectionof a; shipper rod adjacent one end Fig. 15 is a view in sec- The piano constructed in accordance 'with lthis invention is provided With' the usual leasing 10- wherein is mounted the piano acition' indicated in general at 11 and this ac itio'n may be controlled manually throughlkeys'lfz or may be operated by means of jbeljlows 13 arranged in the usual manner ialong the'vacu'um trunk 14 in which trunk 'EVacu'uni is maintained by means of a vacuium pump or bellows, not shown.

I'ii-the'front of the instrument there is -provided a double casing 15 which is sepa- {Lrated' by partitions 16 into the upper and glower compartments l7 and 18 respectively;

tis' provided a roll receiving mechanism arranged to receive the journals 19 of the fusualmusic roll 20. Included in each of the roll receiving mechanisms is a shaft 21 "having at one end a clutch which engages the clutch end of the respective music roll vided a Winding roll journaled in suitable bearings and having a flange 23 at each end; On one of the journals of the music roll there is provided a gear 24 which meshes with a' pinion 25 keyed on a short shaft 26 whereon' are spaced pins 27 which are enga'ge'd by the yoke end of a shipper 28 carried upon a rod 29.

Twp separate operating engines vided as indicated at 30 and 30. these engines has the usual crank shaft 31 whereon i's fix'eda'sprocket 32 Which is confnected-by means of a chain s rocket- 34carri'ed'o1i a shaft carrying also are proe d alve being" removed to-sheve' the port} Fig; 14 is an enlarged delti'onthrough-a: certain valve used herewithl LPn each of the compartments 17 and 18 there 20 and at its other end a sprocket 22. Below each of the music rolls 20 there is pro- 33 with" t e sprocket35 which is connected lnejjils.

i ate iited Got. 28, 1913. i 1 Application meais enzeie z. se'ria'im. 692,813.

removed. Fig-9 is asection on the line certain mnltiple valve a l ieurino.

3/ n. ,1 ExllO-ll of one or the she: the shipper leves the rolls may be op erated will.

each ofthe chambers 1" and 18 there is provided a tracker board 8" 01 the usual construction. @n the back of the casing are mounted brackets 88 upon which is mounted a valve board 39 having a series of holes to extending vertically therethrough and a series oi holes of like char acter at 41, the series being in alternate relation to each other and order econoinize in length the holes are arranged diagonal lines as can. readily be seen by reference to Fif Secured in each oi: the holes and it is an upwardly extend ing tube 42. Beneath this board and resting directly on the brackets is a similar board .3 having a. single series otholes ll arranged in diagonal lines spaced a distance apart equal to the distance between the holes l0 so that as the upper board is moved longitudinally of the lower c ard one or the other of the series or s brought into registry With the series Extending downward from each oi e holes 41. short tu'bedt which is connected by tub to the vacuum chest 14:. in the board 87 there is provided a pair slots'elo Wherethrough extend provided with coiled springs 4-8 to co the upper board firmly on the lower and ent entry of air between the two.- I' rom .he "upper tracker board 37 a series of tubes zit/extend to the tubes carried in one ot the series 40 or ll while from the lower tracker board a Sll l ll lar series of tubes are connected to the remaining tubes 40 and 4:1.

Pivotally mounted on the casing 15 is lever 52 which is connected by a hnlr 53 with the board 39 so that as this lever is with the set o moved in one direction or the other in like manner Will the board 39 be moved to one side or the other and thus bring one of the series holes (a? or 41 into communication 5: T lever 5 is carried on 1 a shaft wi ch casing to the on oue is, w 1

.E. fl. v the shed may e .2 moved.

vcnient ct tin this valve stem movement of the board 89 a certain valve box is provided \VlllCll is best seen 111 Figs. 5, 6, and 7. This valve box is indicated in general at 56 and consists of a number of layers of board suitably cut on. Within this valve box is pair oft spaced. chambers 56 which communicate by passages 57 with tubes and 59 leading respectively to the engines 30 and 30. [above this pair of passages 57 is valve way (30 wherein is slidably mounted a 53 valve 61 having secured thereto an upwardly projecting ear Y The pipes and passages 51' and 59 connnunicate -\vith the valve-Way through 13 )rts and leading respectively to the oassa 'es oi. Intermediate these aorts 18 the passage which communicates by means of a pipe 66 with a speed control boa: 67 containing a valve 68 movable therein and eratively connected to the speed control ever 69 on. the key slip 70. The lug; is connected to the lever 52 by means of a rod 71 so that Whenever the lever is moved in The manner Will the l) valve be moved and it is be noted that the dimensions of the valve such as to connect either the port 63 or the port Ge Wi;h the port While when the valve is in its central position, neither will be connected. This speed control valve is in con'iniunication with a vacunni pipe '72 leading to the equalizing bellows 'Zlirorn whence a pipe 74;- leads to a low pressure reservoir 75. Beneath the charmbers 56 is a vacuum chain be; 76 Waich con1- inunicates by means pipe 77 with the pipe T l directly. Adjacent sch end oi this chamber 7'6 is a cell Wll with the chamber thro a h eeder 79.

guide E L opening into one of the chambers 56. 32 is provided a valve S5, and this valve i J. L

rulmer and has use Washer 86.

s preferably made of e a so. cable The valve stem 82 15 continued side of the block.

is niuiterial ,fl if 1.0:. cilfi upvva :1 above the valve and this upper end fI'L.) end of the lever 92 so that by depressing this plunger the passage 90 may be opened to the atmosphere. When this occurs air will be admitted beneath the diaphragm and by reason of the pressure above the diaphragm being less than that beneath the same and the area of the cell-being greater than that of the valve 85 this valve will be raised from its seat and the respective engine thus placed in direct communication with the low pressure reservoir and operated at full speed for rewinding.

In order that the valve board shall not remain in active position while either of the rolls are being rewound an automatic device for entering this'board is provided. Each of t is rods 29 is provided with a collar 95, the lower edge whereof engages a suitable recess in a block 96 WlllCh'lS arranged to slide over or froman opening 97 in the board 98 supporting the respective engines. From these openings 97 lead tubes 99. At 7.00 is a vacuum chest wherein is a vacuum chamber 101 communicating with the reservoir 75 means of a pipe 102. Beneath this chamber 101 is a pair of cells 103 which communicate with the chamber by means of a 'bleeder 104. Each of these cells is separated from the chamber by a. flexible dia,

rest-s a disk 106 exwhich is a valve stem phragm 105 whereon .itending upward from which passes upward into a valve chamber 108,. the stem passing through guides 109 provided with suitable ports arranged to be covered selectively by the valve 110 accordingly as the same is in raised or lowercd position. Leading from each of the valve chambers 108' is a passage 111 which communicates by means of a pipe 112 with one of a pair of passages 113 formed in a wedge-shaped block ll l to the wider "end whereof is hinged bellows boards 115 normally held in open position by means of springs 116 of coiled wire having their ends driven respectively intobellows boards and block, as clearly seen by reference to Fig. 8. These boards and the block are, of course, covered with a flexible material, such as leather or the like and the passages 113 comijnunicate with the interior of the bellows. The upper ends of the boards 115 are continued upward and provided with suitable slots 116 wherethrough' passes a rod 117 which is secured to the upper end of the ,lever 52 and carries between the slots 116 a pair of adjustable tappets 118. Now, it will benoted that as ,soonas either of the rods 29 is moved to throw the rewinding :levice into operation the respective opening 97 will be opened to the atmosphere. Thereupon air will be admitted beneath the diaphragm 105 and this will cause the valve i10 to rise. This will, place the vacuum chamber 101 in communication with the proper bellows and that-b lows will deflate Iso that the tappets 118 will be positioned centrally and in consequence the movable valve plate will likewise be positioned centrally.

In order to ing roll duringthe rewinding operation the respective passages 113 are each connected by means of a passage 119 with a tube 120 which'is in turn connected to a bellows 121 mounted onlthe casing 15. Through the casing extends a rod 122 which carries'onits inner end a brake shoe head 128 whileon its outer end is afpair of spaced collars ceived the free end of the movable board of the'bellows as indicated at 125. A sprin 126 surrounds the rod 122 bellowshave been deflated by created therein the same will by the admission of air through the ports of the outer plate 109 to these and other bellows. p

There has thus been provided a simple and eflicient device of the kind described, and for the purpose specified. I'tis obvious that many minor changes maybe made in the form and construction thereof without departing from the material principles thereof, and it is therefore not wished to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is wished to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

1. In a player piano, a plurality of tracker boards, a piano action controlled from said tracker boards, a winding mecha 'nism for each tracker board, a plurality of driving engines, means for operatively connecting each engine to a winding mechanecting each tracker board to the piano action, and means controlled by said firstmentioned means to simultaneously control the operation of said engines and selective valve mechanism. 3

2. In a player piano, a-plurality of trac'ker boards, a piano action controlled from said tracker boards, a Winding mechanism for each tracker board including rewinding means, a separate driving engine for each winding mechanism, means to connect each engine to its winding mechanism to wind or rewind a roll carried by the winding mechanism, a selective valve mechanism for from either tracker board, elements to move either engine connecting means to winding and rewinding positions, and means controlled by said elements for throwing the valve mechanism into" cut off position.

3. In a player piano, a plurality of tracker boards, a piano action controlled from said tracker boards, a winding mechanism for provide for braking the wind 124 between Which is reso that after thevacuum being again inflate nism, a selective valve mechanism for con controlling the operation of the piano action.

each tracker board including rewinding means, a separate driving engine for each winding mechanism, means to connect each engine to its winding mechanism to wind or revvind a roll carried by the winding mechanism, a selective valve mechanism for controlling the operation of the piano action from either tracker board, elements to move either engine connecting means to inding and rewinding positions, and means con-- with said chambers, said valve Way being also in communication with a vacuum tube, a fisvalve in said valve way slidable to place either of said chambers in communication with said tube, a vacuum chamber common to both of the first-mentioned chambers and having ports communicating therewith, a cell below each of the first mentioned; chambers, a flexible diaphragm separating each cell and the vacuum chamber, a valved air tube leading to each cell, and bleeders leading from said cells to said chamber.

5. In a player piano, a valve casing provided with a plurality of chambers and a valve way having ports communicating with said chambers, said valve way being also in communication with a vacuum tube, a D- valve in said valve way shdable to place either of said chambers in communication with said tube, a vacuum chamber common to both of the first-mentioned chambers and having ports communicating therewith; a cell below each of said first mentioned chambers, a flexible diaphragm separating each cell and the vacuum chamber, a valved air tube leading to each cell, and bl'eeders lead ing from said cells to said chamber; in com bination with a pianoacticn, a plurality c1": tracker boards, a selective valve controlling the operation of said action by either tracker board, and a single operating lever for simultaneously moving the D and selective valves, in combination with a plurality of roll actuating mechanisms, and pipes connecting said mechanisms with said chambers.

6. In a player piano, a plurality of winding and rewinding inso for each mechanism, a each engine with its mec latter to run in either direction, move said clutches, a double b valve controlled by the bellows, pneu controlling said bellows provider cells, tubes leading from said cells to points adjacent said means, and valves carried by said means and controlling said tubes, combinationwith a plurality of roll actuating mechanisms, and pipes connecting said mechanisms with said chambers.

7. In aplayer piano, a plurality of Wind-- ing and rewinding mechanisms, an engine for each mechanism, a clutch for connecting each engine with its mechanism to cause the latter to run in either direction, means to move said clutches, a double bellows, a valve controlled by the bellows, pneumatics controlling said bellows and provided with cells, tubes leading from said cells to points ad jacent said means, valves carried by said means and controlling said tubes, and braking devices controlled by said pncumatics, in combination with a plurality of roll actuating mechanisms, and pipes connecting said. mechanisms with said chambers.

8. In a player piano, a plurality oli vinding and rewinding mechanisms, an air engine for each mechanism, a clutch for connecting each engine with its mechanism to cause the latter to run in either direction, means to move said clutches, a double bellows, a valve, controlled by said bellows, pneumatics controlling said bellows, and provided with cells, tubes leading from said cells to points adjacent said means, and valves carried by said means and controlling said tube; in combination with, a plu rahty of tracker boards, a pl&,Ill&.,-21(l i(lll, and a second valve controlled'by said bellows, one of said valves controlling the oper of the piano action from either board, in combination with a plurality of ,roll actuating mechanisms, and pipes connecting said mechanisms with said chambers. Intestimo-ny whereof l aiib; my signature in presence of two Witnes BURT VAN "J Witnesses:

F. P. Scrinonnnn, N. A. STOCK.

anemia.

Copies at this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Gear;

Washington, I). 0-. 

